Thousands of travelers across the United States faced delays and cancellations over the weekend because severe weather, including rain, snow, and tornadoes, swept through multiple regions. The disruptions during the post-holiday travel time left many stranded in airports or scrambling to rebook flights.
FlightAware said over 9,000 flights within, into, or out of the U.S. were delayed on Saturday, with more than 300 cancellations. Major hubs like Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport reported many delays. The Federal Aviation Administration noted that some flights at New York’s Kennedy International Airport faced average delays of more than two hours.
Weather conditions mostly caused the travel chaos. In the South, severe storms, including tornadoes near Houston, caused damage, resulting in at least one fatality and several injuries. Meanwhile, the West experienced heavy rain and snowfall, while the Northeast waited for an approaching storm system that was expected to bring snow and rain.
At Dallas Fort Worth, fog and thunderstorms extended these ongoing issues from a technical problem that stopped American Airlines flights. Operating out of Dallas Love Field, Southwest Airlines saw over 50% of its flights delayed. Similarly, United Airlines faced ground stops in Houston, where passengers expressed frustration over long tarmac waits without refreshments.
Despite efforts by airport staff to restore normal operations, many passengers were left without alternative travel options due to limited availability. The storm systems’ wide reach underscored the vulnerability of air travel to severe weather events, particularly during peak holiday seasons.
